Global Giving

CRA’s Consultation on Foreign Activities: What is New and Interesting for Canadian charities

Here is an article entitled “CRA’s Consultation on Foreign Activities: What is New and Interesting with Canadian Charities Conducting Foreign Activities” that I wrote for the Capacity Builders Charity Law Information Program (CLIP) “http://www.capacitybuilders.ca/files/resources/What_is_New_and_Interesting_With_Canadian_Charities_Conducting_Foreign_Activities_1253668442.pdf

The Do No Harm Handbook - a useful tool to analyze the impact of humanitarian assistance on conflict

Any humanitarian relief organization that will operate in a conflict or post-conflict area should review “The Do No Harm Handbook (The Framework for Analyzing the Impact of Assistance on Conflict) which is located at: “http://www.cdainc.com/dnh/docs/DoNoHarmHandbook.pdf

CCCC Submission on CRA Consultation on the Proposed Guidance on Activities Outside of Canada

The Canadian Council of Christian Charities (CCCC) has provided their submission to the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) on the CRA’s proposed guidance on foreign activities (the “CRA Consultation on the Proposed Guidance on Activities Outside of Canada for Canadian Registered Charities”).  The CCCC is an umbrella organization of over 3,000 member charities and you can find their response at: http://www.cccc.org/releases/2009-09-22-CCCC_Response.pdf

To read the consultation document go to: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/chrts/plcy/cnslttns/ccrc-eng.html

Famine in Eastern and Sub-Saharan Africa

A number of NGOs have tried to spotlight the famine in Eastern and Sub-Saharan Africa and CIDA has just committed further funds to the problem.  Here is an article by Kevin McCort of CARE Canada http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/opinion/article/789516 “We must make famine in Africa personal”.  The Humanitarian Coalition has described it as a “perfect storm” at http://www.thehumanitariancoalition.ca/ 

Charity Law Information Program (CLIP) Toronto workshops on charity law and risk management Oct 6/09

I will be delivering two workshops in Toronto on October 6, 2009 for the Charity Law Information Program (CLIP) of CapacityBuilders.  For further information see the Toronto Brochure and registration information for CLIP.

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Charity Directorate, consultations and guidance documents for 2008-2009

Here is a copy of an article I wrote for the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) National Charities and Not-for-Profit Law Section newsletter Charity Talk– A busy year: CRA consultations and guidance documents for 2008-2009 http://www.cba.org/cba/newsletters-sections/2009/2009-08_charities.aspx#article2

CRA consultation on foreign activities - some key points

The CRA in June released their “Consultation on the Proposed Guidance on Activities Outside of Canada for Canadian Registered Charities”.  The Consultation is at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/chrts/plcy/cnslttns/ccrc-eng.html  Here is a copy of an earlier paper that I delivered to the 2009 National Charity Law Symposium of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) and the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) Charity and Not-for-Profit Law Sections entitled New CRA Foreign Activities Guidance:
Charities Circumnavigating the World Without Falling Off the Edge.  It discusses what is new with CRA’s views on foreign activities based on a draft CRA paper.

Upcoming Charity Law Presentations in Canada by Mark Blumberg for CapacityBuilders

For a list of some of my upcoming workshops for CapacityBuilders you can visit http://www.capacitybuilders.ca/clip/clip.php

Insight Canadian Non-Profit and Charity Law Conference in Toronto - November 23-24, 2009

I am the program chair for a conference organized by Insight that will be held November 23 – 24, 2009 at the St. Andrew’s Club and Conference Centre at 150 King Street West, Toronto.  The Conference is called NON-PROFIT and CHARITY SEMINAR: Legal, Regulatory and Governance Issues.  Here is the Insight Brochure 

Giving Beyond Borders - Easier than you Think - presentation to Philanthropic Foundations Canada

Here is a copy of the flyer for a presentation that I will be delivering to Philanthropic Foundations Canada on September 15, 2009 http://www.pfc.ca/files/PTP_flyer_sep15_09.pdf  as part of their 2009 Professional Development Sessions

MANGO to deliver training in Ottawa in October for international development finance trainers

Mango (Management Accounting for Non Governmental Organizations) is a UK registered charity that works to strengthen the financial management of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs). It has a very good reputation for providing training and resources to international development organizations.  They are offering a 4 day course in Ottawa from Monday October 19, 2009 till Thu October 22, 2009 entitled Training for Finance Trainers: How to Take the Fear Out of Finance.  They identify that it will be most useful for “Qualified / experienced finance professionals whose work includes training others in finance”. 

North Korea, Canadian sanctions and Canadian charities - toughened sanctions

Canadian charities operating in North Korea must pay close attention to Canadian sanctions.  These sanctions were recently tightened.

CIDA Issues Paper on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and extractive sector (mining, oil)

Here is a CIDA Issues Paper on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and extractive sector (mining, oil).  Well worth reviewing for those interested in international development and the importance of natural resources.

Gifts by Canadians to US Charitable Organizations - Some general CRA comments

Here is a copy of a recent letter from CRA with respect to gifts by Canadians to U.S. charitable organizations.  It summarizes CRA’s views on the subject.

Consultation on the Proposed Guidance on Activities Outside of Canada for Canadian Reg. Charities

CRA has just released “Consultation on the Proposed Guidance on Activities Outside of Canada for Canadian Registered Charities”. CRA is seeking input and comment by September 30, 2009.  The Consultation was at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/chrts/cnslttns/ccrc-eng.html [It has now moved to ]http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/chrts/plcy/cnslttns/ccrc-eng.html]  Here is a permanent copy of the Consultation on the Proposed Guidance on Activities Outside of Canada for Canadian Registered Charities   Proposed Guidance on Activities Outside of Canada for Canadian Registered Charities in PDF and here is a larger font printable version

I recently prepared a paper on an earlier draft of the guidance at:
http://www.globalphilanthropy.ca/index.php/blog/cra_consultation_on_foreign_activities_-_some_key_points/

CRA Charity Checklist on Terrorism

Here is a “Checklist for Charities on Avoiding Terrorist Abuse” put out by the Charity Directorate of Canada Revenue Agency.  It is a concise and helpful tool for charities to use to ensure that their resources are not misused by those who support or are involved with terrorism.  Many charities tell me that terrorism is not an issue for them - in fact the precautions suggested in this checklist are just as important for charities to understand and impliment to avoid money laundering, tax evasion, and general missappropriation of resources for non-charitable purposes.  Terrorism is local as well as international.  (for example the FLQ and the Oklahoma City bombing).  http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/chrts/chcklsts/vtb-eng.html

CIDA to initiate consultations in near future, according to Minister Bev Oda

In an article in Embassy Magazine CIDA Minister Bev Oda say that “she plans to hold extensive consultations over the coming months on how to make the agency work better.” 

Canada Announces “New Effective Approach to its International Assistance”

CIDA Minister Bev Oda announced today “A New Effective Approach to Canadian Aid”.  Here is the press release and below it is the speaking notes.  CIDA will be focusing on increasing food security, stimulating sustainable economic growth, and securing the future of children and youth.

CIDA announces partnership with Save the Children to fight Malaria and Pneumonia

CIDA announced today $20 million in funding for malaria and pneumonia treatment to Save the Children.  The press release notes that this will “will make a difference and directly benefit approximately 1,100,000 children under five. This initiative of Save The Children is expected to save up to 45,000 children’s lives.”

Foreign Barriers to Foreign activities by Canadian charities

There is an interesting article in a newsletter entitled Global Trends in NGO Law published by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law.  In this article it discusses how many countries are restricting charities and philanthropists from funding projects or operating on their soil. 

OECD acknowledges “Tax haven crackdown will benefit developing countries”

The OECD acknowledges that “a crackdown on tax havens and cross-border tax evasion will help developing countries to raise more revenues to pay for much-needed schools, roads and hospitals…”  The OECD also says that “improving the effectiveness of developing countries’ tax systems is the “new frontier” in development policy”.  While trade and aid are important, tax policy and tax enforcement is vital for developing countries governments to provide basic services.

Nicholas Offord presentation on Fund Raising - Key Challenges & Issues for the Future

Here is a very interesting presentation by Nicholos Offord of the The Offord Group entitled Fund Raising - Key Challenges & Issues for the Future.  It is located at http://www.oltca.com/Library/Events/cts09_mp10.pdf  Although focused on health care fundraising he brings in comes with some interesting statistics that we should of interest to charities especially in these more difficult times.  “The average charity growth rate was 32% between 2001 and 2006”  Across the board having revenue increase by 32% is impressive for charities although one can ask is this sustainable?  Slide 13 cover “Highest Priority Charitable Sector” and for around 9% international was highest priority.

Global Philanthropy and Remittances 2009 Report from Canada - Remittances skyrocket

Checklist for Canadian Charities on Avoiding Terrorist Abuse from CRA

The CRA has just published a very helpful page entitled “Checklist for Charities on Avoiding Terrorist Abuse” and it can be found at:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/chrts/chcklsts/vtb-eng.html

Fundraising for International Development in Canada

I recently read “An Analysis of Canadian Philanthropic Support for International Development and Relief” which was prepared in 2002 by the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy (now Imagine Canada).  The report was paid for by the Aga Khan Foundation and has some interesting observations with respect to donors who give to international development causes.  Anyone who fundraises for an international development organization would probably find the report interesting.

CIDA - Canadian International Development Agency

If one is interested in international development in Canada CIDA is hard to ignore, and one would not want to ignore CIDA, the Canadian International Development Agency.  It spends about 4 billion per year on international development in bilateral, multilateral and partnership areas.  In the last budget Canada will increase its ODA commitment by 8% this year, which although less than some would want, is a significant amount in these difficult times.  I have been looking for information on CIDA and I am finding it really hard to find that information.  Not sure what I am missing but I thought that I would blog a little about CIDA and see what I will find out.  For a government department spending $4 billion there is surprisingly little on the web, except that which is placed on the CIDA website, or information put out by organizations that receive substantial amounts of CIDA funding.  Even then the information is often very basic.

US targets tax havens with Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act: Will Canada Follow?

Tax havens and tax evasion costs governments, including Canada, the US and those in the developing world a substantial amount of revenue.  Although it undermines Western governments these tax havens devastate the capacity of many Southern countries to provide basic services to their own people.  At the upcoming G20 meeting financial regulation and stopping tax haven secrecy will be at the top of the agenda.  If the US loses $100 billion in tax revenue every year from tax havens, then how much does Canada lose every year?  Why not take the money currently lost and use it to increase grants and contributions to the Canadian charitable sector?

CIDA and Canadian Government Makes Major Investment in Preventing tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis (TB) kills about 1.7 million people every year.  The Canadian government has just announced spending about 127 million to fight TB.

Alberta Council for Global Cooperation (ACGC) - Canadian National poll on Global poverty

In March 2009 the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation (ACGC), in partnership with the Wild Rose Foundation, had Angus Reid conduct a poll of Canadians.  Despite the global economic crisis, it appears that there is substantial support for various actors including federal and provincial governments, NGOs and others, tackling the issue of global poverty.  In the poll they found that 89% of Canadians say they believe “Canada should be addressing global poverty in some way, with three-in-ten (29%) actually placing global poverty as a higher priority than local issues.”

Tax Havens Cause Poverty

If you are interested in assisting reduce or eliminate extreme poverty and you want more than writing a cheque to fix a symptom of a problem then you might find this note interesting.  Various groups have highlighted the importance of tax havens in undermining foreign governments in their development work by being a mechanism by which the wealthy can avoid paying taxes.  What does government in Canada provide to us?  Schools, hospitals, universities, social safety net, police.  Imagine what Canada would look like if we had almost no tax revenue.  Within a decade or two there would be no schools, hospital, universities, social safety net, police etc.